Set in the rolling hills and meadows of Yorkshire, writer/director Francis Lee's feature debut stirs echoes of Brokeback Mountain with its torrid depiction of romance between young shepherd Johnny Saxby (Josh O'Connor) and Gheorghe (Alec Secareanu), the steamy Romanian hired hand who has come to help while father Martin (Ian Hart) recovers from a stroke. Instead of outside forces, however, it is Johnny's drunken behavior that threatens to keep them apart as Johnny suddenly finds himself having to deal with emotions he has never felt before. An intense relationship forms between the two which could change Johnny’s life forever. Rich cinematography and a heart-melting turn from Ian Hart complement the nuanced performances of the leads. God's Own Country has won best film awards at Berlin, Edinburgh, Frameline, and best director award at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.

Co-Presented by: Whole Foods and Hotel San Jose

aGLIFF's Secret Screening

Friday, September 8 at 9:15 p.m.

Dir: ??? I 2017 I United States I ??? min. I Texas Premiere

Writer/director in attendance!

Now in its fourth year, aGLIFF’s Secret Screening is one of the most talked-about screenings in the entire festival and this year, the writer/director of the secret film will be in attendance! All we can say is that it’s a narrative film (this is your first hint) that premiered earlier this year at a major film festival and we can’t stop thinking about it. It’s sure to be one of the most anticipated films at aGLIFF30, and you’ll be the first in Texas to see it on the big screen before it’s released in 2018 (that’s your second hint.)

Co-Presented by: Alamo Drafthouse

Closing Night Film

Becks

Sunday, September 10 at 6:00 p.m.

Dir: Daniel Powell and Elizabeth Rohrbaugh I 2017 I United States I 90 min. I Texas Premiere

Co-Writers and Directors Daniel Powell and Elizabeth Rohrbaugh and lead actress Lena Hall will be in attendance.

Preceded by:

Bird of Prey

Dir: Marion Hill I 2016 I United States I 18 min. I Southwest Premiere

Winning the Best U.S. Fiction Award at the 2017 Los Angeles Film Festival, Becks is a charming dramedy about moving on and growing up. Midway between the life she abandoned in New York and her cheating girlfriend in LA is Becks’ (Tony winner Lena Hall) girlhood home in St. Louis, where she returns to stay with her ex-nun mother (Oscar winner Christine Lahti) and get her life back together. As she struggles to resolve her pain and enters an unexpected relationship with a married boutique shop owner, Elyse, (Mena Suvari), Becks learns how her pursuit of happiness can hurt the ones she loves. The extraordinarily talented Lena Hall shines in this musical role accompanied by Suvari, Lahti, and Dan Fogler (Kung Fu Panda and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them).

A young girl makes herself indispensable to a woman trapped in a loveless marriage.

Dir: Pouria Heidary Oureh I 2016 I Armenia, In Armenian and English with English Subtitles I 79 min. I Southwest Premiere

Apricot Groves is the first LGBTQ film in Amenia’s history and writer/director Pouria Heidary Oureh’s feature debut. It is a stunning portrayal on how many LGBTQ Armenians fear being socially outcast by their friends and families, causing them to keep their sexual orientation or gender identity private. Aram (Narbe Vartan, in a commanding debut performance) is of Iranian/Armenian heritage but emigrated to the United States, where he met his fiancee. They have been living together but want to honor their families who are back in Armenia and Iran. When he returns to Armenia to have a traditional Armenian proposal ceremony with his brother—who has made all the arrangements—and his fiance's family, Aram becomes nervous about not doing all the traditions correctly, not making the desired impression with his fiance's family, and the many obstacles they face.

Co-Presented by: TENT

Extra Terrestres

Friday, September 8 at 11:30 a.m.

Dir: Carla Cavina I 2016 I Puerto Rico and Venezuela, In Spanish with English Subtitles I 113 min. I Texas Premiere

Astrophysicist Teresa is getting married and comes home after being out of touch with her family for more than a decade. At first her father doesn't recognize her, but Teresa wants to establish a relationship that probably rarely existed given his old-fashioned ways. The fact that Teresa is marrying another woman, will be the hardest thing she will ever tell her family, but with her secret, other family secrets will start unraveling too. Meanwhile, he's having difficulty with the government and people trying to close down his chicken operation since he's beating the big operators and they don't like it. And what to do with that genius, introverted grandchild who’s best friend is one of the chickens? Coming to terms with all this may prove difficult.

Co-Presented by: Cine Las Americas

Prom King, 2010

Saturday, September 9 at 10:30 a.m.

Dir: Christopher Schaap I 2017 I United States I 96 min. I Southwest Premiere

Writer/director/star Christopher Schaap will be in attendance.

Poor Charlie (writer/director Christopher Schaap), a 20-year-old virgin, has never had real sex “in the hole,”' and he seems cursed in spite of looking like a blonde Eddie Redmayne. First off, he's in love with his best friend, affectionately nicknamed "Hubs," who has recently set up some confusing boundaries for their friendship because of his new boyfriend. Charlie's girlfriends seem to jump at every opportunity to hook him up with someone they may or may not have heard was also gay, and a complicated tryst with an older, cynical waiter proves casual sex may not be Charlie's thing. The multitalented Christopher Schaap lives out every bad dating scenario, demonstrating that even for the young and incredibly good-looking life is not easy.

Co-Presented by: Austin Film Festival

The Ring Thing

Thursday, September 7 at 10:00 p.m.

Dir: William C. Sullivan I 2017 I United States I 113 min. I Southwest Premiere

From the creative team behind That’s Not Us (aGLIFF28), The Ring Thing is a timely romantic drama for the LGBTQ community and something many couples and families are struggling with, especially now that marriage equality is a reality. Sarah (Sarah Wharton) and Kristen (Nicole Pursell) have been in a committed relationship for many years, but Sarah is reluctant to actually get married now that same sex marriage is legal. Sarah is making a documentary about gay marriage and divorce to try to reconcile her feelings about matrimony. Kristen, who's ready to tie the knot, sees a future version of her life with Sarah where career and passion threaten to pull the women apart. The Ring Thing touches on the seriousness of committed relationships and whether relationships can still be as strong without the legal contract of marriage.

Co-Presented by: Hotel San Jose

Saturday Church

Saturday, September 9 at 6:00 p.m.

Dir: Damon Cardasis I 2017 I United States I 82 min. I Southwest Premiere

Preceded by:

Walk For Me

Dir: Elegance Bratton I 2016 I United States I 10 min. I Austin Premiere

Winning Best First Feature at Frameline and the Grand Jury Award for Outstanding Actor in a Feature Film (Luka Kain) at Outfest, Saturday Church’s musical journey finds self-reflection through song, dance, and acceptance. Life in the inner city is tough enough as a 14-year-old when your father has died and his strict puritanical sister takes over running the home while your mother works extra shifts to support the family. It's nearly impossible when you add being gay and transvestite. Director Damon Cardasis shows this difficult world through the wide eyes of young Ulysses (an extraordinary Kain) as he connects with others and discovers a refuge where he can come into his own. Each character tells their tale through rich musical numbers as Saturday Church provides a spotlight in their dark lives.

Walk For Me is a contemporary coming out story where Hassan Kendricks explores his trans identity as a part of NYC's underground ballroom scene and the night his mother catches him in drag.

Co-Presented by: The Q-Austin, allgo and TENT

Narrative Competition Winner

Sunday, September 10 at 9:30 p.m.

The 2017 winner of the Narrative Competition will be shown in an encore presentation. Five documentary feature films that, throughout the festival will be in competition for the prize, include Apricot Groves, Extra Terrestres, Prom King, 2010, The Ring Thing, and Saturday Church. Our three Narrative Competition jurors John Livingston, Jen Richards, and Kristian Salinas will be choosing a winner on Saturday, September 9 at our awards presentation before the screening of Torrey Pines. Films in competition cannot have an agreement for U.S. theatrical distribution and are selected based on highly realized artistic vision and the discovery of compelling and unique storytelling.

Documentary Film Competition

ABU

Saturday, September 9 at 4:00 p.m.

Dir: Arshad Khan I 2017 I Canada, Japan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Thailand in English, Panjabi, Urdu with English Subtitles I 80 min. I Southwest Premiere

Director and subject Arshad Khan will be in attendance.

At a young age, Arshad Khan was brought to Canada from Pakistan by his parents. As he grew up in the Western World his father, Abu, held tightly onto the culture he left behind. While Abu became more conservative, his son Arshad grew independent and embraced an artistic life. Over time the two grew further apart. Arshad tries to understand his father further while making this documentary, and in turn hopes that his father may understand his son one day as well.

Anatomy of a Male

Ballet Dancer

Friday, September 8 at 12:15 p.m.

Dir: David Barba and James Pellerito I 2017 I United States I 83 min. I Southwest Premiere

Ballet is one of the most beautiful of art forms, and Marcelo Gomes is one of its most noted contemporaries. Born in the heart of Brazil, Gomes would train to become a highly accomplished and beloved dancer and the first man in ballet to openly come out. As he approaches his 20th year with the prestigious American Ballet Theater company, Gomes, in this revealing and engrossing profile, reflects on the ups and downs of his personal life as well as his professional future while still trying to meet the brutal demands of a career not known for longevity. A beautifully intimate look into a world class artist who is in the midst of his declining years.

The Lavender Scare

Friday, September 8 at 4:45 p.m.

Dir: Josh Howard I 2016 I United States I 76 min. I Southwest Premiere

Director Josh Howard will be in attendance.

Based on the book by historian David K. Johnson, The Lavender Scare shows Senator Joseph McCarthy’s scare tactics that led to the deaths of many gay men who were just doing their jobs in the government. This long history also goes back before WWII and slowly worked its way to the present, and is probably the leading force for the gay rights movement of the fifties and sixties and, in one way or another, to today's situation with a Republican domination of the country that would like to get rid of us. At its core this is about Frank Kameny, one of the most significant figures of the American gay rights movement, and his fight with Senator McCarthy and the Washington establishment that decided to scapegoat the gay community.

Susanne Bartsch: On Top

Friday, September 8 at 11:59 p.m.

Dir: Anthony Caronna and Alexander Smith I 2017 I United States I 86 min. I Southwest Premiere

Directors Anthony Caronna and Alexander Smith will be in attendance.

Who is Susanne Bartsch? She is the edgy, celebrity event promoter who has helped shape the cultural landscape of New York City nightlife for the past three decades. She is the staunch ally who has boldly embraced and nurtured queer performers and impacted many entertainers including RuPaul. She is the colorful “Queen of the Night” who continues to confound, mesmerize, and inspire. Susanne Bartsch: outrageous, outlandish, outspoken, and utterly fascinating.

Woman on Fire

Saturday, September 9 at 3:45 p.m.

Dir: Julie Sokolow I 2016 I United States I 84 min. I Texas Premiere

Following her father and grandfather into firefighting felt like the right path for Brooke Guinan, the first transgender firefighter in New York City. What was different about her journey was she transitioned while on the force, despite mixed support from her fellow fighters and her family. Brooke is also looking for acceptance and appreciation for being vocal and helping spread awareness about LGBTQ rights on the force. All the while, Brooke becomes closer to her partner, Jim, and the challenges of starting a new life together and meeting Jim’s family for the first time. Woman on Fire explores what this transition has been like for Brooke, her family, her coworkers, and Jim.

Co-Presented by: TENT

Documentary Competition Winner

Sunday, September 10 at 7:30 p.m.

The 2017 winner of the Documentary Competition will be shown in an encore presentation. Five documentary feature films that, throughout the festival will be in competition for the prize, include ABU, Anatomy of a Male Ballet Dancer, The Lavender Scare, Susanne Bartsch: On Top and Woman on Fire. Our three Documentary Competition jurors Lisa Donato, Ellen Spiro, and Jeffrey Schwarz will be choosing a winner on Saturday, September 9, at our awards presentation before the screening of Torrey Pines. Films in competition cannot have an agreement for U.S. theatrical distribution and are selected based on highly realized artistic vision and the discovery of compelling and unique storytelling.

Retrospective and Anniversary Films

Wrangler: Anatomy of an Icon

Friday, September 8 at 10:00 p.m.

Dir: Jeffrey Schwarz I 2008 I United States I 85 min.

Director Jeffrey Schwarz will be in attendance.

Screening at aGLIFF21, director Jeffrey Schwarz returns to aGLIFF with one of his earlier and remarkable documentaries on ‘70s gay porn king Jack Wrangler. With piercing blue eyes, unruly blond hair, a chiseled physique, and cocky swagger Wrangler was a god. Forging a gay sexual revolution, he wasn’t the typical object of homoerotic desire but an intelligent, full-bodied, self-confident stud. Exulted for his 80-plus adult films, the openly gay superstar even conquered the straight adult world and legitimate theater. And off-screen his life was equally sensational—at 33 he married 55-year-old songstress Margaret Whiting. Packed with rare footage, celebrity interviews, and witty commentary by Wrangler himself, this is an unfiltered portrait of an iconoclast who broke all the rules. (Synopsis provided by TLA Releasing.)

Maurice (Special 30th

anniversary screening and

new 4k restoration)

Sunday, September 10 at 10:00 a.m.

Dir: James Ivory I 1987 I United Kingdom I 140 min. I Austin Premiere

In celebration of its 30th anniversary (and aGLIFF’s 30th year), Maurice returns in a sparkling new 4K restoration that befits its status as one of the finest films ever made by the exalted Merchant Ivory Productions. Maurice Hall (James Wilby) and Clive Durham (Hugh Grant) find themselves falling in love at Cambridge. In a time when homosexuality is punishable by imprisonment, the two must keep their feelings for one another a secret. After a friend is arrested and disgraced for “the unspeakable vice of the Greeks,” Clive abandons his forbidden love and marries a woman. Maurice, however, struggles with his identity and self-confidence, seeking the help of a hypnotist to rid himself of his undeniable urges. But while staying with Clive and his wife, Maurice is seduced by the affectionate and yearning servant Alec Scudder (Rupert Graves), an event that brings about profound changes in Maurice’s life and outlook.

Co-Presented by: Alamo Drafthouse

Greetings From Out Here

Sunday, September 10 at 10:30 a.m.

Dir: Ellen Spiro I 1993 I United States I 58 min.

On her journey, filmmaker Ellen Spiro visits memorable characters, landmarks, and events including Mardi Gras, Gay Pride in Atlanta, the Gay rodeo, Dollywood, Miss Miller's Eternal Love and Care Pet Cemetery, and the Short Mountain Radical Faerie sanctuary. Throughout her trip she stops to interview gay men and lesbians demonstrating the wide range of Southern lives, from Rita, a retired military officer, now a drag queen in New Orleans, to Iris, a black lesbian living in a bus in the Ozarks. The subjects in Greetings From Out Here address the impact of AIDS in the rural South, the politics of being gay in the South, and the relationship between the gay and civil rights movements.

Coming Out

Sunday, September 10 at 12:45 p.m.

Dir: Heiner Carow I 1989 I East Germany. In German with English Subtitles I 113 min.

aGLIFF Founder Scott Dinger will introduce the screening.

We asked aGLIFF founder Scott Dinger to select a film from the early days of aGLIFF, and his choice is a powerful drama from East Germany. The first—and only—film about gay life ever produced in communist East Germany, this tender, moving coming out story premiered the very night the Berlin Wall came down, and it won the Silver Bear at the 40th Berlin International Film Festival in 1990.

As a boy, Philipp was strongly attracted to his best friend, but he's put that behind him in order to live within the "norm." He meets a shy girl who falls hard for him, and soon the couple is sharing an apartment. But Philipp cannot deny his passionate desire for a young man he meets in a concert ticket line. Coming Out maps Philipp's liberating journey toward saying "yes" to his true self.

aGLIFF Encores

A Very Sordid Wedding

Thursday, September 7 at 9:50 p.m.

Dir: Del Shores I 2017 I United States I 109 min.

It's 2015, seventeen years after family matriarch Peggy tripped over G.W.’s wooden legs in Sordid Lives, and life has moved into the present for the residents of Winters, Texas. In the wake of the Supreme Court decision in favor of marriage equality, the Sordid saga continues. An anniversary memorial service is being planned in honor of Peggy at the bar while the Southside Baptist Church is planning an "Anti-Equality Rally" to protest the advancement of same-sex marriage. Both events are to take place on the same night, so the beloved cast of colorful characters are all on a collision course for shenanigans and fireworks at the church and everyone’s favorite bar on the big night. Along the way a bisexual serial killer shows up, a drag queen country medley is performed and a beauty salon versus the bigots battle turns getting your hair done into the front lines of the equality battle. Friendships are tested and families are reunited as fear and bigotry are confronted with acceptance and understanding on the way to a surprise wedding with (almost) everyone in attendance. Starring: Bonnie Bedelia, Leslie Jordan, Caroline Rhea, Dale Dickey, Emerson Collins, and Whoopi Goldberg.

Behind the Curtain: Todrick Hall

Friday, September 8 at 2:15 p.m.

Dir: Kathryn Fairfax Wright I 2017 I United States I 100 min.

Maybe you know him from his popular YouTube channel, from his stint as a judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race, or even from his run as Lola in Kinky Boots on Broadway. Behind the Curtain: Todrick Hall by documentarian Katherine Fairfax Wright follows entertainer Todrick Hall as he prepares for the ambitious project of planning, promoting, and touring an original musical based on his Straight Outta Oz album, burdened with a limited budget and tight timelines. We also learn about the difficulties Todrick faced growing up black and gay in a small Texas town, and how he channeled these hardships into his music and his work ethic. This gripping portrait of Todrick showcases a man of many talents who has catapulted his name and his career into the spotlight through an inspiring blend of passion and determination.

Co-Presented by: The Q Austin and allgo

Signature Move

Saturday, September 9 at 6:30 p.m.

Dir: Jennifer Reeder I 2017 I United States, In English, Urdu and Spanish with English Subtitles I 80 min.

Co-writer Lisa Donato will be in attendance.

Preceded by:

Two Birds

Dir: Caitlin Stickels I 2017 I United States I 8 min. I Texas Premiere

After selling out screenings at SXSW and nabbing the U.S. Grand Jury Prize at Outfest, Director Jennifer Reeder’s entertaining and inspiring film returns to aGLIFF30 with its dominating moves and heart-on-its-sleeve laughs. Zaynab (co-writer/co-producer, Fawzia Mirza, also featured in the documentary shorts program with The Streets Are Ours: Two Lives Cross in Karachi) is a Pakistani Muslim and has her work cut out for her dealing with her very traditional mother who lives with her and can't tear herself away from her soaps. Alma (Sari Sanchez) is a headstrong Mexican woman who is very open about who she is and what she wants out of life. These women from two very different backgrounds meet and try to figure out common ground to stand together on. Oddly enough, some of this involves Lucha wrestling.

Two awkward and shy women in a coffee shop find each other attractive, but they both need some help in making the other notice her.

Co-Presented by: Austin Film Society

The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin

Sunday, September 10 at 5:30 p.m.

Dir: Jennifer M. Kroot I 2017 I United States I 89 min.

In 1974, a fictional column written by Armistead Maupin called Tales Of The City introduced the tenants of 28 Barbary to households all over the San Francisco Bay Area. These characters would soon find their ways into homes all across the world through books and television. Now we reflect back on Maupin’s life and career in great personal detail to learn about the man who created the many stories and characters loved the world over.

Co-Presented by: Whole Foods

Narrative Films

After Louie

Sunday, September 10 at 3:30 p.m.

Dir: Vincent Gagliostro I 2017 I United States I 96 min. I Texas Premiere

For the activists of the 1980s and 1990s, the AIDS crisis was a time of chaos, of heartache, and of desperate perseverance. For the generations that followed, even an academic understanding of the lives lost to AIDS and of the sacrifices made by organizations like ACT UP can never truly encapsulate the experience of surviving the crisis first hand. In After Louie, this gap in experience is explored through the lens of Sam (Alan Cumming, in a career-best performance), a man who spent many years fighting as an AIDS activist, who lost too many loved ones to the disease, and who resents the younger generation’s complacency when it comes to political activism. Sam’s cynical worldview of modern gay life is challenged, however, when he enters into an intimate relationship with a younger man, Braeden (Zachary Booth from aGLIFF25, Keep the Lights On), in this thought-provoking and evocative first feature length film by director Vincent Gagliostro.

Co-Presented by: Midtown Title

B&B

Saturday, September 9 at 11:45 p.m.

Dir: Joe Ahearne I 2017 I United Kingdom I 87 min. I Texas Premiere

From the mind of writer/director Joe Ahearne (screenwriter of Danny Boyle’s 2013, Trance) comes this twisty and suspenseful whodunit in a tightly wound narrative. Couple Marc and Fred return to a B&B they sued for not providing them with suitable accommodations. A year has gone by and they're checking in to see if Christian owner, Josh, has done to make things suitable. He removed all the double beds so all rooms have twin singles. Evening arrives and as they prepare for dinner a new guest arrives, dark and brooding Alexei. Is he gay or straight? Did he respond to their blurb about getting more gays to the B&B or is he there to check out the B&B? Meanwhile, Paul’s son, Josh, reveals to them that he is also gay and is having a tough time living under the same roof as his father. Josh lets them know he wants to visit a local park to meet with Alexei and they don’t think this sounds like a great idea. Paul has a plan, but it all goes very wrong.

Co-Presented by: Breaking Glass Pictures

Brotherly Love

Sunday, September 10 at 12:15 p.m.

Dir: Anthony J. Caruso I 2016 I United States I 119 min. I Texas Premiere

Director Anthony J. Caruso and select cast and crew will be in attendance.

Which call do you answer? The one you feel from God or the one you feel about your authentic self? This is the dilemma at hand for Brother Vito (played by writer/director Anthony J. Caruso) struggling with a decision as he must decide between becoming a Brother or allowing himself to declare his love for Gabe (Derek Babb). Shot entirely in Austin and with a local cast and crew, Brotherly Love is a fresh take on the traditional gay love story, with The Golden Girls also playing an important role in this romantic drama.

A Date for Mad Mary

Friday, September 8 at 7:00 p.m.

Dir: Darren Thornton I 2016 I Ireland I 82 min. I Texas Premiere

Mary McArdle has a notoriously violent temper. Fresh from completing a prison sentence for assault, she struggles to fulfill her duties as maid of honor for her dearest friend, Charlene. Mary would do anything for her, though Charlene seems to prefer to keep Mary at arm’s length. Feeling isolated and marginalized, Mary finds herself desperately trying to reconcile her frustrations with the person she cares for the most and a sincere desire to change her reputation. Led by an amazing performance from Seána Kerslake, A Date for Mad Mary provides a comic, bittersweet journey of a volatile yet sympathetic young woman dealing with the uncertainty of friendship and the unexpected changes that life throws at her.

Co-Presented by: Consulate General of Ireland and Wolfe Video

Discreet

Saturday, September 9 at 10:45 p.m.

Dir: Travis Mathews I 2017 I United States and Brazil I 81 min. I Texas Premiere

Writer, director, producer and co-editor Travis Mathews along with select cast and crew will be in attendance.

Unsettling and surreal, the scenes in Discreet don't immediately form a clear narrative. Like the agitated thoughts of Alex (Jonny Mars), the action moves between a number of scenes that highlight different aspects of his life, which seems to be spent dividing his time between work as a videographer, helping an old disabled man, and hooking up with strangers at an adult book store. The scenes in Travis Matthews' (aGLIFF26 selection, Interior. Leather Bar.) Discreet soon resolve into a daring and moving observation on a subject rarely illuminated: the emotional turmoil experienced by a man decades after childhood abuse. Shot in Austin and surrounding areas in Texas, this sincere and starkly honest portrait is brought to life in a haunting performance by Jonny Mars and Mathews extraordinary vision.

Co-Presented by: OUTsider

The Feels

Saturday, September 9 at 12:30 p.m.

Dir: Jenée LaMarque I 2017 I United States I 88 min. I Texas Premiere

Winning the Grand Jury Prize for Outstanding Actress in a Feature Film (scene-stealer Ever Mainard) at Outfest, The Feels is a hilarious comedy about coming together and facing the realities of friendship, marriage, and over-extended partying. Friends gather for a weekend bridal shower getaway in California's wine country when one of the brides, Andi (Fresh Off the Boat’s Constance Wu), admits she has never had an orgasm, and everyone including the other bride Lu (The Final Girls’, Angela Trimbur) is gobsmacked. Directed by Jenée LaMarque (The Pretty One), The Feels sets the situation for the attendees to also deal with their own set of interpersonal issues that make the weekend tense, but to also gain insight about themselves and learn more about each other.

Co-Presented by: Hotel Van Zandt & Wolfpack Productions

Hello Again

Saturday, September 9 at 9:00 p.m.

Dir: Tom Gustafson I 2017 I United States I 105 min. I Austin Premiere

Preceded By:

A Circle of Diamonds

Dir: Michael Biello, Dan Martin and Barbara Proud I 2016 I United States I 4 min. I Austin Premiere

Also Preceded By:

2000 Years of Drag: A Musical Odyssey

Dir: Dorian Electra, Imp Queen I 2017 I United States I 4 min. I Texas Premiere

From the time-traveling 1994 Off-Broadway musical with music, lyrics, and book by Michael John LaChiusa, Hello Again is based on the 1897 play La Ronde by Arthur Schnitzler. Directed by Tom Gustafson (aGLIFF21 selection, Were the World Mine) these ten vignettes span chronologically through the ten decades of the 20th century, bringing to life love affairs of the characters. The anthology is an exploration of sexual encounters in an attempt to find what love is, while the wrap-around is hosted by a mysterious and at times sexually ambiguous guide to what is most important in attaining a sexual and loving life. Hello Again features an all-star cast of talented actors and singers including Tyler Blackburn, Cheyenne Jackson, T.R. Knight, Audra McDonald, Jenna Ushkowitz, Sam Underwood, and Martha Plimpton.

An original song inspired by and featuring marriage activist Edie Windsor.

Dorian Electra is joined by drag queens Imp Queen, Lucy Stoole, Eva Young, The Vixen, and trans rapper London Jade to take us through the history of drag to show how it has shaped the way we can redefine gender and create who we are.

Co-Presented by: Mercury Mambo

A Promise of Time Travel

Saturday, September 9 at 8:30 p.m.

Dir: Craig Jessen I 2016 I United States I 88 min. I Austin Premiere

Writer/director Craig Jessen and producer/actress April Grace Lowe will be in attendance.

Preceded by:

Lost Track of Time

Dir: Queer Youth Media Project I 2017 I United States I 7 min. I World Premiere

"My grandfather died a year ago. When I was going through his stuff . . . I found this." Writer/director Craig Jessen builds his sci-fi love story on the well-trod "Let's kill Hitler" time-travel theme and peppered his film with the usual discussion on causality, paradox, and branching universes. Bringing to mind Safety Not Guaranteed, this story of a lesbian-bisexual-straight love triangle caught up in a cloak-and-dagger adventure has a twist ending guaranteed that you won’t see coming.

A lifelong friendship is tested to its limits when one enters a new relationship. Jealousy, heartache, and betrayal ensue in a time-bending mystery thriller.

Co-Presented by: Other Worlds Austin and Austin School of Film

Tom of Finland

Saturday, September 9 at 8:00 p.m.

Dir: Dome Karukoski I 2017 I Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany and United States. In Finnish, German and English with English Subtitles I 115 min. I Austin Premiere

From shunned to celebrated, this is the story of cult-artist Touko Laaksonen, better known as Tom of Finland, and the events that influenced his iconic homoerotic drawings. After the trauma of serving in WWII, Tuoko (a bold and phenomenal performance by Pekka Strang) finds no peace at home as he has to go to increasingly greater lengths to hide his homosexuality, even from his family. As the secret affairs and police crackdowns wear on him, he commits more deeply to his art, drawing inspiration from the uniforms that oppress him. Director Dome Karukoski (The Home of Dark Butterflies and the forthcoming bio pic Tolkien, based on the life of “The Lord of the Rings” creator J.R.R. Tolkien) brings him to life, creating a moving portrayal of the man behind the legendary images.​

Co-Presented by: Midtown Title

Torrey Pines

Saturday, September 9 at 5:30 p.m.

Dir: Clyde Peterson I 2016 I United States I 60 min. I Austin Premiere

Writer/director/animator Clyde Peterson will be attendance. A live accompaniment will be performed by Seattle-based band Your Heart Breaks.

Preceded by:

Two Ways

Dir: Queer Youth Media Project I 2017 I United States I 5 min. I World Premiere

Torrey Pines is a stop-motion animated feature film by director Clyde Petersen. Based on a true story, the film is a queer punk coming-of-age tale, taking place in Southern California in the early 1990s. Raised by a schizophrenic single mother, Petersen shows his life story unfolding in a series of baffling and hallucinated events. With a mother fueled by hallucinations of political conspiracy and family dysfunction, Petersen is kidnapped at the age of 12 and taken on a cross-country adventure that will forever alter the family as they know it.

Two classmates discover similarities in their experiences with bullying.

Co-Presented by: Fantastic Fest and Austin School of Film

Prior to both films, aGLIFF will be hosting its award ceremony announcing the winners for Best Narrative Feature, Best Documentary Feature, Best Short Narrative Film, Best Short Documentary Film, and Best Student Made film. (This is open all badgeholders or individual ticket holders for Torrey Pines screening only.)

Something Like Summer

Sunday, September 10 at 3:15 p.m.

Dir: David Berry I 2017 I United States I 115 min. I Texas Premiere

Director David Berry, producer and screenwriter Carlos Pedraza, and author Jay Bell will be in attendance.

Something Like Summer is based on the novel by Jay Bell of the same title. Uncoordinated Ben (Grant Davis) runs into Tim (Davi Santos) on roller blades, more or less on purpose, and puts him in the hospital. He then volunteers to take care of Tim and keep him up to speed on schoolwork since Tim's parents are out of town. Tim is deep in the closet, and concerned about the reaction he'll get from his deeply Catholic parents. He finally breaks off all connections with Ben as they go off to different colleges. Years go by and Ben has developed a relationship with a flight attendant, Jace (Ben Baur). Tim reappears and has realized he wants Ben back. Can finding a lost love lead to a happy ending? Most of the story takes place in Austin, Texas, but was shot in scenic in Portland, Oregon, and features several musical performances that include original work by the musical director of The Book of Mormon on Broadway.

Co-Presented by: Hyatt House

Documentary Features

Chavela

Sunday, September 10 at 1:15 p.m.

Dir: Catherine Gund and Daresha Kyi I 2017 I United States, Mexico and Spain. In Spanish and English with English Subtitles I 90 min. I Texas Premiere

Winning the Audience Award for Best Documentary at Frameline and the U.S. Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary at Outfest, Chavela is a thought-provoking, bittersweet tribute to one of best unknown treasures in music history. Chavela Vargas sang traditional rancheras songs like no other, and when she sang everyone who heard her could feel her pain and their own. She garnered attention from many celebrities, including Frida Kahlo, Ava Gardner, and Pedro Almodovar. While she never said the words “gay” or “lesbian,” Chavela was open about her lesbian experiences, even as she wore masculine clothing and sang about women. Chavela is an unique and somewhat controversial look of a woman who didn’t give a you-know-what about anyone and lived her life to the fullest, leaving behind an impressive legacy.

Co-Presented by: Cine Las Americas and Mercury Mambo

Clambake

Saturday, September 9 at 10:15 a.m.

Dir: Andrea Meyerson I 2015 I United States I 95 min. I Austin Premiere

Director Andrea Meyerson and producer Kelly Bertone will be in attendance.

What started as a way for some very business-savvy women innkeepers to extend the tourist season in P-Town (Provincetown, Massachusetts) in the fall in 1984 has now grown from a Women's Weekend into one of the premiere lesbian destinations known as Women’s Week. Without the luxury of social media or even email, the women hand-wrote letters to all their past guests, inviting them to come enjoy the beautiful autumn scenery—with a clambake and some local entertainment thrown in. Director Andrea Meyerson takes viewers on a fascinating 30-year journey, through archival footage and photos, interviews with celebrities and founders, and current events and performances, offering a historical—and hysterical—look at what a handful of innovative women can accomplish.

The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson

Saturday, September 9 at 1:00 p.m.

Dir: David France I 2017 I United States I 105 min. I Texas Premiere

Winning the Freedom Award at Outfest, Academy Award® nominated director David France’s (How to Survive a Plague) new documentary centers on self-described “street queen” Marsha P. Johnson, a legendary fixture in New York City’s gay ghetto who, along with fellow trans icon Sylvia Rivera, founded Street Transvestites Action Revolutionaries (S.T.A.R.), a trans activist group based in the heart of NYC’s Greenwich Village. It’s early July 1992, and a body washes up at the Christopher Street pier in New York City. The death of one of the drag queens at Stonewall and a founder of the LGBT movement, Marsha P. Johnson, was quickly ruled a suicide, and the case was closed. For 25 years, family and who knew the outspoken civil rights leader would never commit suicide had no closure, no justice from a society that still marginalizes the transgender community.

Co-Presented by: The Q Austin, allgo and TENT

The Fabulous Allan Carr

Friday, September 9 at 7:30 p.m.

Dir: Jeffrey Schwarz I 2017 I United States I 90 min. I Austin Premiere

Director Jeffrey Schwarz will be in attendance.

Not many producers become celebrities themselves but that is exactly what Allan Carr desired and did. He reached great success with his film adaptation of Grease. While he was the talk of the town, he recreated the lavish Hollywood lifestyle and parties that had long been gone in the industry. The view was great at the top, but it was not easy for Carr to stay there. Through pitfalls and other successes, Allan Carr’s career eventually led to his producing one of the most notorious Academy Awards shows ever to occur.

Co-Presented by: Austin Film Society & Hotel Van Zandt

No Dress Code Required

Sunday, September 10 at 10:15 a.m.

Dir: Cristina Herrera Borquez I 2016 I México. In Spanish with English Subtitles I 92 min. I Texas Premiere

Marriage equality continues to be a battle that the gay community is engaged in around the world. The obstacles to overcome are different in each nation. For Victor Manuel Aguirre and Victor Fernando Urias, getting married in their hometown of Mexicali in the Mexican state of Baja California is a battle fraught with exasperating tricks and bureaucratic hurdles from their opponents. Yet these two wonderful men manage to get past these humiliations with courage and enormous perseverance. Their eventual victory is a heroic and deeply gratifying example of the power of love that would pave the way for many other couples to follow.

Co-Presented by: Cine Las Americas

Rebels on Pointe

Saturday, September 9 at 1:15 p.m.

Dir: Bobbi Jo Hart I 2017 I Canada I 90 min. I Texas Premiere

Director Bobbi Jo Hart will be in attendance.

Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, the all-male, drag ballet company founded in 1974 with a cult following around the world, has been entertaining audiences for decades. The company is made up entirely of gay men who knew they wanted to be ballerinas and dance on pointe from a very early age. Celebrating who you are and doing what you love is what has brought these men together. Rebels on Pointe takes us behind the scenes with back stories on the dancers, the parents of the dancers, and how the company has changed with the times to become even more diverse.

TRANS YOUTH

Saturday, September 9 at 10:00 a.m.

Dir: Rebecca Adler I 2017 I United States I 84 min. I World Premiere

Director Rebecca Adler, subjects from the film, and local crew will be in attendance.

Preceded by:

Out of My Mind

Dir: Queer Youth Media Project I 2017 I United States I 6 min. I World Premiere

Elliot, Ursula, Winn, and Peter have all discovered something about themselves that requires changes both inwardly and outwardly. They have an undeniable need to be outwardly what they understand themselves to be inwardly. Living in Austin, each must find a way to the truth of themselves. This requires conversations with family and friends and dealing with school and work environments. Fortunately, trans identity is more visible than ever—the subject of television shows, talked about in the media, and tied up in controversial legislation—but films that take us directly into the lives of trans youth are rare. Trans Youth closely follows Elliot, Ursula, Winn, and Peter and other subjects as they navigate both the tumult and the ecstasy of growing up, letting us get to know them as individuals rather than stereotypes.

Two friends struggle with the trials and tribulations of coming out.

Co-Presented by: PFLAG, Austin School of Film and Out Youth

Shorts Program

Colors & Drawings = Animation Shorts

Sunday, September 10 at 3:35 p.m.

Dir: Various I 2016/2017 I Brazil, Canada, France, United Kingdom and United States I 79 min.

A cleaning guy in a gay bathhouse, a sailor fighting a squid, a boy controlling his pounding heart, trans life in Brazil and France, and a couple of cute badgers—these six short animations will take you on unexpected journeys through the magic of hand-drawn and CGI animation.

Cuddlefish

Dir. Cheryl Briggs, Faculty Director, Brianna Jaeger and Jared Bittner I 2017 I United States I 6 min. I Southwest Premiere

A solo sailor drops anchor while sailing the seas and an amorous squid falls in love with it. Meanwhile, the sailor spies a sexy Mermaid silhouette and tries to retrieve the anchor to reach the mermaid. An epic battle ensues.

In a Heartbeat

Dir. Beth David and Esteban Bravo I 2017 I United States I 4 min. I Texas Premiere

A closeted boy runs the risk of being outed by his own heart after it pops out of his chest to chase down the boy of his dreams

Looper - Farfisa Song introducing Mustard & Ketchup

Dir. Iain Gardner I 2017 I United Kingdom I 3 min. I North American Premiere

From former “Belle & Sebastian” bass player Stuart David comes one helluva catchy song with adorable animated badgers, having fun with no money, and a cute penguin thrown in for good measure.

The Man Woman Case

Dir. Anais Caura I 2017 I France. In French with English Subtitles I 45 min. I North American Premiere

In 1920, Eugene, born a woman, is living their life as a man. He is married but ultimately his wife accuses him of not being a real man, and in a scuffle, she is accidentally killed. Eugene then goes on the run from the law and is eventually caught and put on trial for murder and perversion.

The Night Cleaner

Dir. Blair Fukumura I 2016 I Canada I 5 min. I Southwest Premiere

As the night cleaner in Canada's busiest gay bathhouse, Travis has his work cut out for him. With good humor he shyly takes us on an amusing and sometimes harrowing tour through his nightly duties.

Tailor

Dir. Calí dos Anjos I 2017 I Brazil. In Portuguese with English Subtitles I 9 min. I Southwest Premiere

An animated documentary focusing on the lives of several trans people living in Brazil. Heartfelt, relatable, and intriguing, the subjects share their stories of struggle and success.

Giggles & Smiles = Comedy Shorts

Saturday, September 9 at 2:45 p.m.

Dir: Various I 2016/2017 I Canada, Spain and United States I 88 min.

Film can remind us that the most rewarding smiles and laughter come from our relationships. These ten stories of best buddies, couples, perfect strangers, and new friends do just that.

Let Joy and Tim from Haygood Eats cater your next event. Youngest son's coming out party? Gay conversion therapy? The Haygoods have the perfect menu for you! All served with a side of passive aggressive banter.

Heads or Tails

Dir. Eva von Schweinitz I 2016 I United States I 9 min I Texas Premiere

Lilly is turning 26, and she still has difficulty making decisions. But when René reluctantly joins Lilly on a zoological break-and-enter mission, both ladies come to the same decision.

I Don't Believe in That

Dir. Neil Fennell I 2016 I United States I 9 min I Austin Premiere

Derrick is a "culturally Catholic" non-believer. Keith is a spiritual soul. They disagree on almost everything: the death penalty, reincarnation, horoscopes, and ghosts. But one particular disagreement may be too much for Derrick.

Leadbeater

Dir. Tyler Peterson I 2017 I United States I 17 min I Southwest Premiere

If you asked Laurel what she wanted for her 21st birthday, she wouldn't mention kidnapping, a bad trip, or unrequited desire. With the help of her friends, she makes it through her last night of teen angst into a very promising 22nd year.

Plus One

Dir. Peter Knegt I 2017 I Canada I 8 min I Southwest Premiere

At the singles' table of Sarah and Sara's wedding reception, Trish and Calvin get off to a rocky start. Before the night is over, they team up to overcome ex-girlfriends and arrogant pretty boys . . . finding the laughs of a new friendship along the way.

The Swimming Pool

Dir. Carlos Ruano I 2017 I Spain. In Spanish with English Subtitles I 10 min I Southwest Premiere

How can Jota and Santi escape Madrid's summer heat? The Church of Scientology! The Church has a pool . . . and maybe a little help on the path to honesty of inner truth.

Three is a Party

Dir. Aden Wexberg and Nickolas Grisham I 2016 I United States I 7 min I World Premiere

Cocktails, truth or dare, and Grant's preference for sex with two people at once makes for an uncomfortable evening.

Tipping Point

Dir. Stephanie Young I 2016 I Canada I 7 min I Texas Premiere

When she agrees to meet up with her favorite regular customer at a show after work, Riley gets the chance to return the tip.

The Yoga Bridge

Dir. Michael Orlando I 2016 I Canada I 6 min I Southwest Premiere

The cultural insensitivity of closing a major thoroughfare on National Aboriginal Day makes for lively debate. Then Kurt confesses a controversial decision that hits a little closer to home.

Conflict & Intensity = Dramatic Shorts

Thursday, September 7 at 7:15 p.m.

Dir: Various I 2015/2016/2017 I United Kingdom and United States I 98 min.

Special guests will be in attendance.

These eight dramatic shorts will open your eyes and heart to new stories of grief, compassion, acceptance, and falling in and out of love for the first time.

Christine

Dir. Jessica Adler I 2016 I United States I 10 min I Austin Premiere

With the help of her best friend, Christine redefines her perception of strength and what it means to be herself.

Encuentro

Dir. Florencia Manovil I 2016 I United States I 16 min

Claudia's night out with friends is disrupted by an encounter with the captivating Isabel.

Headspace

Dir. Jake Graf I 2017 I United Kingdom I 4 min I Texas Premiere

Headspace gives a rare and intimate glimpse into the trials and tribulations faced by trans folk on a daily basis.The all-trans cast includes activist and model Munroe Bergdorf; model, singer and star of U.S. reality show Strut, Laith Ashley; Youtuber and fitness model Kieran Moloney; Captain Hannah Winterbourne of the British Army; and writer and director Jake Graf.

Huevos Rancheros

Dir. Brian C. Miller Richard I 2016 I United States I 11 min I Texas Premiere

Lifelong friends, Danny and Marcus must confront their differences or allow them to finally drive a wedge in their relationship. Fear of change and the unknown can cripple forward momentum. At the end of the day, hot-button issues debated in a public forum affect day-to-day lives with real consequences.

The Girl in the Green Dress

Dir. Johanna Goldstein I 2015 I United States I 15 min I Texas Premiere

A surreal drama set in the conservative world of America's 1950s housewives exploring themes of modern feminism and sexual liberation. Contemporary dance is intertwined with narrative, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy in the vein of The Stepford Wives and Mulholland Drive.

The News Today

Dir. Lisa Donato I 2017 I United States I 12 min I Texas Premiere

The familiar and mundane moments between two guys in love become precious in an instant.

Please Hold

Dir. Jerell Rosales I 2016 I United States I 15 min I Southwest Premiere

When a condom breaks during a random hook-up with a stranger, Danny gets an HIV test and an unexpected new friend.

Sunset

Dir. Katie Ennis and Gary S. Jaffe I 2017 I United States I 15 min I Southwest Premiere

In the days after Pearl Harbor, a young man must decide whether to serve overseas or stay in New York with his streetwise male lover.

True Stories & Global Issues = Documentary Shorts

Friday, September 8 at 4:50 p.m.

Dir: Various I 2015/2016/2017 I Australia, Brazil, Pakistan and United States I 108 min.

Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction, but these stories will capture, break, and open your heart whether you’re a bear in the bedroom, a performance piece in Pakistan, celebrating Australia’s Jewish queer community, a profile on one of the American leaders in the civil rights movement, gender identity for a young genderqueer Indian, the naked body and a young boy and mother fleeing Russia for promise in the United States.

Aleph Melbourne - Celebrating 20 Years

Dir. Michael Barnett I 2016 I Australia I 9 min I Texas Premiere

Rich with archival material, the first 20 years of Australia's groundbreaking and controversial queer Jewish social, support, and advocacy group take a captivating and nostalgic journey from Aleph Melbourne's inception in 1995 through 2015.

Bayard & Me

Dir. Matt Wolf I 2017 I United States I 16 min I Texas Premiere

Bayard Rustin was the organizer of the March on Washington and one of the leaders of the civil rights movement. In the 1980s Bayard adopted his younger boyfriend Walter to obtain the legal protections of marriage. In this intimate love story, Walter remembers Bayard and a time when gay marriage was inconceivable. He reflects on the little known phenomenon of intergenerational gay adoption and its connection to the civil rights movement.

Bear in a Bedroom

Dir. Albert Koomen I 2017 I Australia I 7 min I World Premiere

As he dresses, a gay man in the bear scene talks about his life, his challenges, and his affinity for the bear culture. He attributes elements of this culture as elemental in his healing from past struggles and trauma.

Escaping Agra

Dir. Pallavi Somusetty I 2016 I United States I 23 min I Austin Premiere

After being held against their will in India when their gender and sexual orientation is discovered, a young genderqueer Indian battles their parents in court and pieces their life back together.

Little Potato

Dir. Wes “Potato” Hurley and Nathan M. Miller I 2017 I United States I 13 min Year: 2017

A gay man and his mother tell their story of getting out of Russia and coming to America. Along the way, through tales of mail-order brides, coming out and gender issues, the mom is steadfast and supportive despite the trouble they both went through for many years.

The Naked Body

Dir. Diego Carvalho Sá I 2015 I Brazil. In Portuguese with English Subtitles I 22 min I Southwest Premiere

In this documentary and fiction hybrid, a director documents how people relate to nudity and their own body. Meanwhile, behind the scenes the director gets involved with one of the subjects.

The Streets Are Ours: Two Lives Cross in Karachi

Dir. Michelle Fiordaliso I 2017 I Pakistan and United States I 16 min I Texas Premiere

This is a moving story of two Pakistani women: Sabeen Mahmud, founder of Karachi performance space T2F, who paved the way for Pakistani-American lesbian Fawzia Mirza to perform her one-woman show across Pakistan, one month before Mahmud's tragic murder.

From Around the Globe & Passport Not Needed = International Shorts

Friday, September 8 at 10:00 a.m.

Sunday, September 10 at 7:45 p.m.

Dir: Various I 2016/2017 I Australia, Canada, Netherlands, South Korea and United Kingdom I 98 min.

The films in this program are from across the globe, but they all point to a common theme of conflicting loyalties. These are stories of being conflicted, caught in the middle and torn between.

Dusk

Dir. Jake Graf I 2017 I United Kingdom I 15 min I Texas Premiere

Chris struggled to fit into gender roles dictated by a wider society. Then he meets Julie and life begins to lighten, but he has a growing feeling that theirs is a life half-lived.

Golden Boys

Dir. Jill Riley I 2016 I Canada I 8 min I Southwest Premiere

"What's it like to be one of the golden boys?" Three grown classmates reunite for an after-hours bender in their old school. The men are torn between good memories, regrets, and missed opportunities.

Momo

Dir. Yun Joo Chang I 2016 I South Korea. In Korean with English Subtitles I 15 min I Southwest Premiere

When Sohee brings home the cat she once shared with her ex-girlfriend, Yujin worries that Momo will serve as a reminder of Sohee's past. Sohee is stuck in the middle of her love for Yujin, her duty to Momo, and the shadow of her previous relationship.

Picking Up

Dir. Nicholas Christo I 2016 I Australia I 13 min I Texas Premiere

On a night out with his mate, Nathan encounters his high school bully, Mark. They leave the club together, and Mark helps Nathan see himself in a whole new light.

Scar Tissue

Dir. Nish Gera I 2017 I Netherlands. In Arabic, Dutch and English with English Subtitles I 14 min I Texas Premiere

Sami embraces his new freedoms in Amsterdam after fleeing Syria, but reminders of his previous life linger. With one heart in two countries, Sami wonders: Will he ever return home? Does he know where home is?

What About Shelley

Dir. Kyle Reaume I 2016 I Canada I 13 min I Southwest Premiere

Adam puts Billy in an impossible situation, stuck in between Adam's secret and his best friend, Shelley. Billy's news will seem petty and hurtful to Shelley, but his loyalty to her demands honesty.

Bloody & Goofy & Titillating = Late Night & Sexy Shorts

Saturday, September 9 at 11:15 p.m.

Dir: Various I 2016/2017 I Australia, Canada, United Kingdom and United States I 92 min

Special guests will be in attendance.

Get ready to laugh, cover your eyes, hold onto your arm rest, and sink into your chair as these eight gory and steamy stories will surely have you thinking about whether we’re heading for the apocalypse or into a stranger’s bed. (NO ONE UNDER 18 ADMITTED.)

A curious merman's life is forever changed after he saves a sailor from drowning. Antonin Dvorak's opera score accompanies this sexy homage to Hans Christian Andersen, vintage homoerotica, and the golden era of silent film.

Secret Santa SEX Party

Dir. Charles Lum and Todd Verow I 2016 I United States I 12 min I Southwest Premiere

A group of older gay men get together every month for companionship, camaraderie, and sex. At these parties everyone gets a little something in their stocking.

Retrospective Shorts: Favorites from aGLIFF’s Past

Sunday, September 10 at 5:45 p.m.

Dir: Various I 1991-2015 I Canada, United Kingdom & United States I 63 min

They arrived by DVD, HD-CAM, DIGI-BETA and even VHS. 30 years of short films, and here are a few favorites as selected by some of the artistic voices that have programmed aGLIFF over the years: Jim Brunzell, Frank Hui, Kathryn Gonzales, Mo Ratel, and David Sweeney.

Dear Dad, Love Maria

Dir. Vince Mascoli I 2009 I United States I 5 min I aGLIFF22

Maria, a young male-to-female transsexual, writes a letter to her disapproving father the night before her gender reassignment operation. An exploration of memory, loss of innocence, growing up, and being who you are. Suggested by Kathryn Gonzales.

Hello Caller

Dir. Andrew Putschoegl I 2011 I United States I 7 min I aGLIFF24

Andrea is at the end of her rope. Life sucks and she's about to end it all. After passing a flyer on a bulletin board offering help to those in need, she makes a call and reaches out for help. The man on the other end is anything but helpful. Suggested by Frank Hui and David Sweeney.

Private Life

Dir. Abbe Robinson I 2006 I United Kingdom I 16 min I aGLIFF19

Yorkshire, England 1952 Ruth Ackroyd leaves the monotony of her work at her father's textile mill on a Friday evening and secretly takes the train to Manchester. There, she meets a man on the platform, but all is not what it seems. Suggested by Frank Hui.

RSVP

Dir. Laurie Lynd I 1991 I Canada I 23 min I aGLIFF4

Jessye Norman’s rendition of Le spectre de la rose, from Berlioz's Les nuits d'été, is the backdrop for a powerful story of the impact of one man’s death on those who loved him. Suggested by David Sweeney.

Tradesman's Exit

Dir. Tom E. Brown I 2015 I United States I 12 min. I aGLIFF29

A man appears to methodically destroy a collection of items and may be building a bomb. How far would you go to get closure? Suggested by Jim Brunzell.